Royals claim pitcher Maikel Cleto off waivers from St. Louis

Outfielder Quintin Berry Designated for Assignment

By / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY, MO (June 23, 2013) - The Kansas City Royals today have claimed right-handed pitcher Maikel Cleto (pronounced: Michael, Clay-toe) off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. Cleto will be assigned to Triple-A Omaha. To create room on the 40-man roster, the club designated outfielder Quintin Berry for assignment.

Cleto, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-handed pitcher, was 2-3 with a 6.92 ERA in 16 appearances (9 starts) for the Memphis Redbirds, St. Louis' Triple-A affiliate. He pitched in one game for the Cardinals earlier this season, pitching 2.1 innings against Arizona on June 5 in a 10-3 loss. He's appeared in 15 Major League games in three seasons, posting a 10.34 ERA with 7 walks and 26 strikeouts in 15.2 innings for St. Louis.

Berry was claimed off waivers by the Royals on June 4 and had played in 9 games for the Storm Chasers, batting .194 with one homer, 4 RBI and 5 stolen bases.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.